LMIA · Employer guide
High-wage stream LMIA in Saskatchewan
The high-wage stream applies when the offered wage is at or above the provincial/territorial median hourly wage. Employers must demonstrate genuine recruitment of Canadians and, in most cases, submit a transition plan to reduce reliance on temporary foreign workers.
This page covers the High-wage stream LMIA specifically for employers hiring in Saskatchewan — the stream requirements, the provincial compliance notes, and the full employer document checklist.
Provincial employer registration is required in Saskatchewan
Employers hiring in Saskatchewan must register under the Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act before — or alongside — the LMIA. A valid provincial employer registration certificate (or proof of exemption) is part of the Factor D compliance documents.
What this stream requires
Wage: At or above the provincial/territorial median hourly wage.
- 1Advertise on Job Bank (or the designated provincial site) plus at least two other recruitment methods for at least four weeks.
- 2Submit a transition plan to reduce reliance on temporary foreign workers (unless exempt).
- 3Provide proof of business legitimacy and the ability to fulfill the offer.
- 4Pay the wage at or above the prevailing/median wage for the occupation and location.
Employer document checklist
The documents ESDC reviews are grouped into the offer, the four business-legitimacy factors (A–D), recruitment, and stream-specific items. The professional curates which apply to each employer.
Job offer
Offer of employment
The signed job offer for the position(s): wage, hours, duties and work location.
A · Proof of providing a good or service
Business licence or permit to operate
A valid municipal business licence (or any permit/licence required to operate). Not needed if your most recent LMIA was positive and issued in the past 2 years.
T4 Summary of remuneration paid
Proof of operation where no business licence is required in your area (most recent CRA-assessed T4 Summary).
PD7A Statement of account for current source deductions
Proof of operation through payroll source deductions (where no business licence is required).
Contract or invoice (foreign-based employer)
Only if your business address and operations are outside Canada and you have no CRA business number: a contract or invoice for the goods or services you provide in Canada.
Proof of 1+ year in operation (PR-supporting LMIA)
For an LMIA supporting permanent residence: a document showing the business has operated for at least 1 year. Not for positions in Quebec.
Carrier profile / public profile report (trucking)
Your current carrier profile / public profile report — for trucking applications.
National Safety Code (NSC) certificate (trucking)
Your current NSC certificate — for trucking applications.
Fleet insurance (trucking)
Your current fleet insurance — for trucking applications.
Coasting Trade Act letter of authority (foreign vessel)
CBSA-issued Coasting Trade Act letter — for positions aboard a foreign vessel doing coastal trade in Canadian waters.
Proof of work-location address (private household)
For private household employers: proof of the address where the worker performs duties. E.g. driver’s licence, utility bill, provincial/territorial ID, bank statement, CRA notice of assessment, or a CPP/OAS/GIS benefits statement.
B · Reasonable employment need
Proof of individual requiring care (in-home caregiver)
For in-home caregiver applications: proof of age if the person is under 18 or 65+, or proof of disability / chronic or terminal illness for high medical needs.
C · Ability to fulfill the job offer
T2SCH100 + T2SCH125 (corporation financial statements)
Balance sheet information (Schedule 100) and income statement information (Schedule 125) — for corporations. Most recently assessed by the CRA.
T2042 Statement of farming activities
For a self-employed farmer or a partner in a farming business. Most recently assessed by the CRA.
T2125 Statement of business or professional activities
For sole proprietorships. Most recently assessed by the CRA.
T3010 Registered charity information return
For registered charities. Most recently assessed by the CRA.
T5013SCH1 Net income (loss) for income tax purposes – Schedule 1
For partnerships. Most recently assessed by the CRA.
Financial institution attestation
An attestation from a financial institution — if the CRA financial documents above are unavailable.
Agricultural program enrolment proof
Primary agriculture: proof of enrolment in a federal, provincial or territorial agricultural program (e.g. FADQ registration in Quebec).
CRA notice of assessment (private household)
For private household employers: your most recent CRA notice of assessment showing income above the low-income cut-off (after July 1, the previous year’s NOA).
Recruitment & advertising
Recruitment & advertising proof
A Job Bank posting plus at least two other recruitment methods, with dates, reach and the results for Canadian and permanent-resident applicants.
Stream-specific documents
Transition plan
High-wage stream: a plan describing how you will reduce reliance on temporary foreign workers over time.
D · Compliance with employment laws
Provincial employer registration certificate
Required when hiring in British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan or Nova Scotia: a valid provincial employer registration certificate, or proof of exemption.
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Frequently asked questions
Do employers need to register to hire a foreign worker in Saskatchewan?+
Employers hiring in Saskatchewan must register under the Foreign Worker Recruitment and Immigration Services Act before — or alongside — the LMIA. A valid provincial employer registration certificate (or proof of exemption) is part of the Factor D compliance documents.
Which LMIA streams are available in Saskatchewan?+
High-wage stream, Low-wage stream, Global Talent Stream, Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP), Agricultural stream — each with its own requirements and document checklist.
What is the High-wage stream LMIA?+
The high-wage stream applies when the offered wage is at or above the provincial/territorial median hourly wage. Employers must demonstrate genuine recruitment of Canadians and, in most cases, submit a transition plan to reduce reliance on temporary foreign workers.
Is recruitment required for the High-wage stream?+
Yes. Employers must advertise the position (Job Bank or the designated provincial site plus additional methods) and document the results for Canadian and permanent-resident applicants.
What wage applies under the High-wage stream?+
At or above the provincial/territorial median hourly wage.
Is a transition plan required?+
In most cases, yes — high-wage employers submit a transition plan describing how they will reduce reliance on temporary foreign workers over time (some exemptions apply).
How much does an LMIA cost?+
A processing fee of $1,000 CAD per position applies to most streams (some positions — such as certain primary-agriculture and caregiver situations — are exempt). The fee cannot be recovered from the worker. Verify the current fee and exemptions on the ESDC site.
Related guides
This page is general information about Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program and LMIA process — it is not legal or immigration advice. Program rules, fees, wage thresholds and provincial requirements change; always verify the current requirements on Canada.ca (ESDC / IRCC) or with a licensed immigration professional (RCIC or lawyer).